Online Betting in Canada: When Convenience Turns Into a Problem

Online betting has become firmly embedded in the habits of Canadian players. There is no longer any need to place bets at a specific location or at a specific time. Digital platforms operate 24/7, and mobile apps allow users to place wagers even while commuting. The process is as simple as possible: fund the account, choose an event, confirm the bet – done. For many, this is a convenient way to follow sports competitions and make their own predictions.

However, this level of accessibility has another side. Constant exposure to betting websites and apps increases involvement. The line between controlled play and problematic behaviour becomes thinner. Players forget to take breaks, leaving no time to reflect on their habits, which can ultimately lead to serious consequences.

Convenience as the main advantage of online betting in Canada

The key benefit of online wagering is its accessibility. Players are no longer tied to land-based betting shops. Everything works through a browser or an app, fitting easily into the daily routine of almost any Canadian. In addition, online platforms provide up-to-date information. Odds are refreshed quickly, while statistics and pricing are available both before a match and during live play. This creates a sense of awareness and control for bettors.

Beyond match outcomes, players can wager on statistics, periods, and individual performances. This format appeals to those who closely follow specific leagues or teams. Betting becomes more than simply guessing the final result.

Technology also shapes how betting is perceived. Many platforms available in Canada offer live streams, fast settlement, and convenient payment options. Deposits and withdrawals take less time. We discussed this in a separate article. As a result, the entry barrier for new users is lower.

Online betting also creates a feeling of autonomy. Players choose their own pace, format, and events. For part of the audience, this becomes an additional source of excitement and engagement with sports.

Accessibility as a risk factor: the other side of online sports betting

The digital environment changes not only the betting format but also player behaviour. When a platform is always within reach, decisions are made faster. In such conditions, it is harder to stop and assess the situation objectively. One match ends – the next one is already on the board. Live betting amplifies this effect. Players remain constantly involved and take fewer breaks. This clearly distinguishes online betting from offline formats.

Another important factor is how money is perceived. Electronic payments reduce the sense of real spending. Numbers on a screen feel abstract, and even withdrawal notifications cause less stress than paying with cash. All of this makes it harder to realistically assess risk, especially during a series of consecutive bets.

In addition, online platforms use algorithms to maintain engagement. They regularly send notifications – match reminders or personalized offers, for example. The goal is to increase the time spent on the website or in the app. The longer a player stays, the higher the chance they move from betting to other forms of online gambling, such as slots. Spending and loss of control are even higher there – a topic we address in the next section.

What the numbers say about the risks of online gambling in Canada

A report released in partnership between Greo Evidence Insights, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, and Mental Health Research Canada paints an alarming picture. Researchers surveyed 8,211 Canadians and collected data that is difficult to ignore.

Those who reported gambling online were ten times more likely to exceed safe play limits compared to people who only purchased lottery tickets. This is not a marginal difference – it is a multiple. Moreover, 40.8% of online players met the criteria for problem gambling, while among lottery-only participants this figure was just 0.9%. That is a striking 45-fold difference.

High levels of gambling-related harm were reported by 19% of online players, compared to 0.9% of those who only played the lottery. This harm goes beyond psychological issues such as shame, feelings of failure, and relationship conflicts. Financial losses and credit card debt are also significant. While comprehensive data on gambling debt is unavailable, Ontario players wagered $329.4 million on iGaming in September, a 20% year-over-year increase. And this is Ontario alone!

Which players are most at risk?

The most vulnerable group is young adults aged 18 to 29. Around one in three people in this age category engaged in online gambling over the past year. Among them, 69.4% met the criteria for problematic behaviour, and 23.5% reported a high level of gambling-related harm. By comparison, only 11.4% of people aged 65 and older showed similar issues. In other words, younger players are six times more likely to fall into the trap of addiction.

Why does this happen? Young people tend to be more impulsive and have lower self-control. They struggle to distinguish promotional content from neutral information, and gambling marketing affects them more strongly overall. Exposure to betting advertising in childhood is linked to earlier participation and a higher risk of addiction. We examined this issue in one of our articles.

Where is online gambling most widespread?

Ontario and British Columbia show the highest rates – 21.5% and 22.2%, respectively. Quebec follows with 19.6%, the Prairie provinces with 17.2%, and the Atlantic provinces with 16.7%. The differences are not dramatic, but they are indicative. Ontario, with its open iGaming market and aggressive promotion, leads the way. According to provincial data, wagers totalling $82.7 billion were placed in Ontario between April 2024 and March 2025.

Across all regions, the pattern is the same: online betting and casinos are associated with higher risks compared to other forms of gambling. Geography does not change the core of the problem.

Final takeaway

The online format has undoubtedly made betting more convenient and accessible. More people can now place a wager on their favourite team and feel part of the sports community. At the same time, many players are not prepared to handle the pressure created by the digital environment. It is difficult to stop betting when a phone is always at hand and push notifications remind users that they have not opened the app in a while.

This makes it essential to introduce measures that limit platform usage or temporarily block accounts after excessive spending. Such tools do exist, but they are applied insufficiently. As a result, many players – especially younger ones – remain at risk of developing problem gambling. That is why bettors themselves need to pay closer attention to their behaviour and remember the principles of responsible gaming.

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